Concrete mixing and distributing system



T. s. LEAKEI CONCRETE MIXING AND DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED OCT- 7, 1907- RENEWED JUNE 24, I916.

Patented Feb. 13, 1917.

4 SHEETSSHEET 1.

T. S. LEAKE.

CO NCRETE MIXING AND DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED OCT-7,1901- RENEWED JUNE 24,1916.

1,215,558. Patented Feb. 13, 1917.

4- SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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CONCRETE MIXING AND DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION .FILED ocT. 7, 1901. RENEWED JUNE 24. I916.

Patented Feb. 13, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET.3-

- T. S. LEAKE.

CONCRETE MIXING AND DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED 0CT. 7|19D7- RENEWED JUNE 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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24, 191 6. Patented Feb. 13, 1917.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS S. LEAKE, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIG-NOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO CONCRETE MIXING AND CONVEYING 00., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

CONCRETE MIXING AND DISTRIBUTING SYSTEML, J7

Application filed October 7, 1907, Serial No. 396,270. Renewed June 24, 1916. Serial No. 105,721.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS S. LEAKE, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Concrete Mixing and Distributing Systems, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide .an improved method of and apparatus for preparing a concrete mixture and quickly delivering it in a plastic condition at the place where it is to be utilized. In accomplishing this object use is made of a mechanical device to effect partial mixing, and of compressed air or similar fluid to com plete the mixing and cause the movement of the mixture. In addition to this principal object which has been referred to, my invention also relates to numerous structural details and combinations of parts as set forth in the following specification and claims. I

I do not herein claim the features of novelty and invention incident to the mechanismwhich I have shown and described for effecting the preliminary measuring and feeding of the solid materials, as these are presented and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 691,610 filed April 18,

1912 as a division of this application.' And I do not herein claim those features of novelty and invention incident to the general arrangement and combination of parts shown and described and particularly those the controlling mechanism. These features.

are presented and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 691,611, filed April 18, 1912 as a division of this application.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the entire system comprising the concrete measuring and mixing devices and the conduit leading therefrom to the places where the concrete is to be used.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the concrete measuring and mixing apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the left-hand mixing chamber 32 shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail-view of an element of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view of the mixing chamber shown at the lower right-hand measuring chambers 23.

corner of Fig. 2, together with certain adjacent parts.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the valve shown at the bottom of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a transverse section of the mixing chamber 32 on the line 11 in Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrow.

Fig. 1 shows the general arrangement of my apparatus in relation to a concrete building under process of construction and in Fig. 2 the details of the apparatus are more fully illustrated. 20 is a bin for holding broken rock and on each side of it are sand and cement bins 21. Below the bins 21 are A tilting vessel V is placed under these bins and comprises two Patented Feb. 13, 1917.

measuring chambers 25 separated by a partition 27 and mounted to rock on the shaft 28. chamber 25 is controlled by a gate 29. Spouts 30 are placed on each side to receive the contents of the respective measuring vessels 25. Each of these spouts 30 leads into a mixing chamber or receptacle 32.and closed conduits or ducts 34 lead thence and unite in the conduit 36 and extend to the places where the freshly mixed concrete is to be used. By way of example, the apparatus which has just been described is illustrated inFig. 1 as standing on the floor 37 of a partly constructed building. 38 and 39 are other floors. 40 is a concrete wall that is being built up around a steel framework 41, the temporary retaining walls 42 and 43 being placed to hold the concrete till it sets. The conduit 36 terminates in several branches, one of them being a hose 44 leading to the wall 40, and another being a similar hose 47 leading to the trough 46. Each hose is made somewhat larger than the pipe leading to it. The concrete ingredients are measured in the vessels 25 and 23, mixed 1n the chambers 32 and forced by compressed air from them through the conduit 36.

Having described the invention in outlme, I will now proceed to a more detailed description thereof. The concrete ingredients are assembled in the bins 20 and 21 shown at the upper part of Fig.2 from which they are delivered to the measuring chambers 25. These measuring chambers 25 are separated from one another by the partition 27 and they are mounted to tilt or rock on the axls 28. Inasmuch as the measuring of the concrete ingredients forms no part of the inopen. 75 and 7 6 are coacting stops secured to the main framework of the machine which limit the extent of tilting of the vessel V.

Each mixing chamber or receptacle 32 has an opening 77 in its upper side, as seen in Fig. 3. This opening is terminated below by a cylindrical section 78 adapted to be closed by the cylindrical segment or gate 79 rotating .on a pivot shaft 80. A crank 81 is connected to this shaft. A rotatable shaft 82 carrying inclined stirring paddles 83 projects into the mixing chamber 32. A water pipe or manifold 84 winds about the outside of the chamber and is connected thereto by numerous short branch pipes 85, each of which comprises a union 86. Across the bottom of the interior of the mixing chamber .32 is a framework 87 supporting the nozzles 89 which terminate the compressed air inlet pipes 88. In addition to the inclined stirrers 83 on the shaft 82 there are other stirrers 90 on the end thereof at the bottom of the chamber 32 adjacent to the opening into the conduit 34. This opening is controlled by a slide 91 which has a per foration 92 adapted in one position to register with the opening, and controllable by the link 93 engaging therewith.

A compressed air motor 94 is mounted on the main framework and carries two sprocket wheels which connect respectively through the chains 97 with two other sprocket wheels 98. Each of the latter is on the same shaft as a beveled pinion 99 which meshes with a beveledgear wheel 100 on the stirring shaft 82.

The manner in which the dry ingredients are delivered to the mixing chamber 32 has already been described. The vessel 104 measures the proper quantity of water to be mixed with them and this water is forced therefrom by compressed air through the pipe 107 the water being delivered thence through either of the pipes 113 or 115. Inasmuch as the water measuring apparatus forms no part of the invention claimed herein, it need not be described in detail.

A source of compressed air is connected to the pipe 123 and this pipe has. a branch 126 leading to the air motor 94, a branch.124 controlled by a valve 129 leading to one receptacle 32 and a branch 125 controlled by a valve 130 leading to the other receptacle 32. The branch 124 is further divided, one

branch 124* entering the top of the mixing chamber 32 and the other branch 88 connecting with the discharge nozzles 89. The pipe 125 is similarly branched.

A lever 132 has its fulcrum at 133 and is connected at the point 134 to the links 93 which control the slides-91. This lever has a slot 135 which embraces a pin 136 on the link 137 which connects the two cranks 81. A link 138 has one end pivotally attached to the tilting vessel V at the point 139 and the other end attached to the arm 141 of the bell crank, whose other arm is 142, this bell crank being journaled at 140. A link 143 connects the extremity of the arm 142 to'the lever 132. Catches 144 are mounted on the main frame of the device to hold the lever 132 in either of its two limiting positions, and the lever has at one end thereof an opcrating handle 145. 5

The operation of this device is as follows:

i The arrangement of the measuring apparatus shown at the upper part of Fig. 2 is such that the uppermost measuring chamber 25 will receive from the bins above a g supply of the dry concrete ingredientslin the proper proportion. A push by the operator on the handle 145 will free the lever 132 from the catches 144 and then the weight of the load in the uppermost vessel 25 will tilt it to the right as viewed in Fig. 2. This movement will open the gate 29 on the right by the weights 72 striking the stops 74. :Thus the broken rock in the right hand vessel 25 will discharge therefrom into the og chute 30. f

When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2, the right-hand mixing chamber 32 will be closed above and open below, but the tilting to the right that has just been 5 described will simultaneously and automatically reverse this condition of affairs by means of the connections 138, 141, 142, 143, 132, 137, 93. Thus the right-hand mixing chamber 32 will receive and retain the stone, 1 sand and cement from the measuring chambers. All the time the compressed air motor 94 is driving the stirrers 83. After the dry ingredients are admitted to the mixing chamber 32, the operator will by proper manipulation of the valves cause the water contained in the vessel 104 to be introduced into the chamber 32. While this is taking place and until the mixing in the right-hand chamber 32 is completed, the right-hand 12o measuring vessel 25 will remain tilted down to the right, held in this position against the force of gravity acting on the load in the left-hand chamber 25, by means of the lefhhand catches 144 engaging the lever 132.

25 and permits it to rock back intothe position shown in Fig, 2. Simultaneously, by

'means of the linkages which have been. de-' blown into the conduit 34. All the time the stirrers 83 and 90 keep moving and thus loosen up and agitate the concrete so as to facilitate its removal by means of air pressure. Thus the freshly mixed concrete is removed by compressed air fro-m the mixing chamber 32 and conducted through the conduits 34 and 36 to the place where it is to be used. If the mixing of the materials in the receptacle 32 by means of the mechanical agitators is not complete, further mixing and commingling of the various concrete ingredients will take place as the materials are forced into and through the delivery conduit by the compressed air.

I have described the sequence of operation more particularly with reference to the right-hand side of Fig. 2, but it is obvious that the same stepswould be performed in alternate order on the left-hand side thereof. It is to be noted that the lever 132 is operated by the weight in the measuring chamber 25, and that the handle 145 merely serves to push the lever into or out from the catches 144. It is to be noted that each charge in each of the mixing chambers 32 consists of measured quantities of broken stone, sand, cement and water.

I claim:

1. In a concrete mixing and conveying ap I paratus, the combination of a delivery conduit, a vertically arranged receptacle, having a feed opening and provided with walls which converge downward to an apex and open into the conduit, the converging walls serving to guide all the material in the receiver downward 0n converging lines to the conduit, a positively actuated stirring device in the receiver arranged to leave the opening into the delivery conduit unobstructed, a closure for the feed opening, and means for supplying a pressure fluid to the receptacle forforcing material therefrom along the said converging walls to the apex thereof and into the conduit.

2. In a concrete mixing and conveying apparatus, the combination of a relatively extended delivery conduit, ,a receptacle having its walls converging downward toward the conduit and joining the conduit walls with substantial smoothness, a movable device in the receiver for automatically mixing and agitating material contained therein, means for completely closing the receptacle except for the opening into the delivery conduit, means for introducing air under pressure into the upper part of the receptacle above the contained mass of material to tend to cause it to move toward the entrance to the conduit, and means adjacent the entrance to the delivery conduit for introducing a jet of air moving at high velocity to 1mpinge against the mass of material and aid its movement from the receptacle into and through the delivery conduit.

3. In a concrete mixing and conveying apparatus, the combination of a relatively extended delivery conduit, a receptacle having its walls converging downward toward the conduit and joining the conduit walls with substantial smoothness, a movable device in the receptacle for automatically mixing and agitating material contained therein, means for completely closing the receptacle except for the opening into the delivery conduit, means'for introducing air under pressure into the upper part of the receptacle above the contained mass of material, means in the receptacle adjacent the entrance to the delivery conduit for introducing a jet ofair 'moving'at high velocity to impinge against the mass of material and aid its movement from the receptacle into and through the delivery conduit, and a mechanical stirrerpositioned between said jet introducing means and the conduit entrance.

l. In combination, a closed chamber for containing plastic concrete, a conduit leading therefrom, a mechanical stirrer in the chamber, and a compressed air inlet pipe terminating in a nozzle within the chamber at a point between said stirrer and the outlet to said nozzle, said nozzle being directed toward the outlet opening.

5. In a concrete mixing and conveying apparatus, the combination of a relatively extended delivery conduit, a receptacle the walls of which converge toward the conduit and smoothly join the conduit walls, moving means in the receptacle for-automaticallymixing and agitating materials contained therein, means for delivering a jet of air at high velocity against the mass of ma terials to assist its movement from the receptacle into and through the delivery conduit, and a moving stirring device inter-- posed between the said jet delivering means and the entrance to the said delivery conduit.

6. In combination, a closed chamber for containing plastic concrete, a conduit lead ing therefrom, a compressed air inlet pipe terminating within the chamber in a nozzle directed toward the opening into said conduit, and a mechanical stirrer adjacent to said opening.

7. In an apparatus for elevating and transporting granular and plastic material,

a receiver having its lower portion in the form of a hopper. a feeding mechanism above the receiver. means for supplying air under pressure to the upper portion of the receiver, a tube connecting with the lower end of the hopper to convey the material therefrom. and an air pipe to deliver air at the lower end of the hopper, substantially as described.

S. In a concrete mixing and conveying mechanism. the combination of a relatively extended delivery conduit. a receptacle provided with a feed opening near the top and having walls which converge to and join the conduit walls with substantial smoothness, a closure for the feed opening, a feed ing device arranged to deliver material through vthe feed opening. a moving device for automatically mixing materials in the receptacle. and means for supplying air under pressure to act upon the materials to cause them to be moved from the receptacle into and through the delivery conduit.

9. In combination, a closed chamber. a conduit leading therefrom. a compressed air inlet pipe leading to the chamber. a removable closure at the top of the chamber. a receptacle adjacent to the top of the chamber and positively acting means to open said closure and simultaneously discharge the receptacle through the opening into the chamber.

10. In a concrete mixing and conveying apparatus. the combination of a delivery conduit. a receptacle connected with the conduit and formed. with its walls converging to and joining the conduit walls and provided near its top with a feedopening, a feeding device arranged to deliver material through the feed opening. a closure for the feed opening. means for simultaneously releasing material from the feeding device and removing the closure from the feed opening. means for returning the closure to operative position. means for supplying air under pressure to the interior of the receptacle to tend to force material from the receptacle into and through the delivery conduit. and

a nozzle fordelivering a jetof air at high velocity against materlal to aid 1ts movement into and through the delivery conduit.

11. In a concrete mixing and conveying apparatus. the combination of a delivery conduit. a receptacle provided near its top with a feed opening connected with the conduit andformed with its walls converging to and joining the conduit walls and a feeding device arranged to deliver material through the feed opening. a closure for the feed opening. means for simultaneously releasing material from the feeding device and removing the closure from the feed opening. means for returning the closure to operative position. a moving device s v 1n the receptacle for mechanically m1xprovided-with a feed opening in the upper part and having walls which converge downward to an apex and open into the conduit to guide all the material in the receiver downward on converging lines to the conduit. a valve for the feed opening. means for positively forcing the said valve open and for positively returning itto an air tight position, and means for supplying a pressure fluid to the receptacle for forcing the material therefrom "along the said converging walls and into the conduit.

13. In combination. a closed chamber. a conduit leading therefrom. a compressed air inlet pipe connected to the upper part of the chamber. a removable closure at the top of the chamber. a valve in the conduit operatively connected to said closure, and a valve in the compressed air pipe.

ll. In'combination. a chamber. a conduit leading therefrom. a compressed air inlet pipe connected to the upper part of the chamber. a removable closure at the top of the same, a valve in the conduit. and a mechanism connecting said closure and valve so as to open or close them together.

15. In a concrete mixing and conveying apparatus. the combination of a relatively extended delivery conduit. areceptacle hav: ing a relatively unobstructed opening into the conduit. and a feed opening near its top,

a valve in the conduit near the receptacle. a valve for closing the feed opening. means for supplying air under pressure to the receptacle to force material therefrom into and through the conduit. and mechanism for sinmltaneously opening the conduitvalve and closing the valve'for the feed opening and for sinutltaneously closing the conduit valve and opening the valve for the feed opening.

16. In a concrete mixing and conveying apparatus. the combination of a relatively extended delivery conduit. a receptacle having a relatively unobstructed opening into the conduit and a feed opening near its top, a. valve in the conduit near the receptacle. a valve for closing the feed opening. a material feeding device above the feed opening. means for supplying air under pressure to the receptacle to force material therefrom into'and through the conduit, and mechanism for simultaneously releasing material from the feeding device, opening the valve for the feed opening and closing the conduit valve, and for simultaneously opening the conduit valve and closing the valve for the cement in-a dry condition from their respective holders to the receptacle, means for guiding Water to the sand receptacle, means for closing the receptacle, and means for introducing air under pressure to force the concrete forming materials from the. receptacle into and through the delivery conduit.

18. In a concrete mixing and conveying apparatus, the combination of a relatively extended delivery. conduit, a receptacle having a relatively unobstructed opening into the conduit and a feed opening near its top, a series of-holders for the concrete'forming materials, to wit, rock, sand, cement, and water, means for guiding rock, sand and cement in a dry condition from their respective holders to the receptacle, means for guiding water to said receptacle, a moving device in the receptacle for mechanically mixing and agitating the materials contained therein, means for closing the receptacle, and means for introducing 'air under pressure to force the concrete forming materials from the receptacle into and through the delivery condui i 19. In combination, two closed chambers, a conduit with branches leading thereto from the chambers, valves in the respective branches of the conduit, compressed air pipes leading to the chambers, mechanism connecting the valves in the branches of the conduit whereby they may be used alternately, and valves in the air pipes independ ent of anism. V

20. In combination, two closed chambers, conduits leading therefrom, valves in the respective conduits, compressed air pipes opening into the chambers, displaceable closures at the tops of the chambers, and mechanism connecting said displaceable closures and said valves in the conduits whereby they may be simultaneously opened for one chamber and closed for the other alternately.

21. The method of conducting freshly mixed concrete from the mixer along a the aforesaid valve connecting mechclosed conduit connected therewith to the place Where it is to be utilized, which consists in closing the mixer, mechanically agitating the concrete and introducing compressed air behind the portions thereof nearest the said conduit and behind the Whole mass of concrete, and thereby forcing it into and along the conduit.

22. The herein described method of preparing and conveying to the place of deposit and of use the constituent materials, to wit, rock, cement and sand, which are to constitute at said place of deposit a mass of concrete building material, the same consisting in causing the flow by gravity from several adjacent supply masses of several initially separate streams ofthe said constituents into a common receiver, supplying a mass of water as a lubricant and constituent supplemental to those aforesaid, closing the said receiver against air escape except at the place of discharge, and conveying the said several constituentsin a commingled mass from the receiver by a body of compressed air through a delivery duct to said point of deposit and use.

- .THOMAS S. LEAKE. Witnesses: v

CA L A. RICHMOND, JENNIE A. MAoEnwAam. 

